Stoke City took a big step towards survival with a rare away win that all but sealed Queens Park Rangers' fate.

The visitors took the lead just before half-time when Peter Crouch converted Cameron Jerome's cut-back.

And Jon Walters sealed the win from the penalty spot after Clint Hill had impeded Crouch.

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QPR dream in tatters - Redknapp

Stoke moved up to 15th place, six points clear of the drop zone, while QPR will be relegated on Monday if Aston Villa beat Manchester United.

Livewire striker Loic Remy apart, QPR looked a disjointed unit in a match which provided ample evidence as to why they are in such a dire predicament.

Too often players shot when they should have passed and vice versa, while in conceding the opening goal shortly before the break the home side reprised a habit that has cost them points up and down the country.

Stoke had entered the match on a desperate run that had seen them slip into relegation contention, but Crouch's opener injected much-needed confidence into their play and they comfortably held on for a first away victory since 1 December.

With Stoke pressing from the off, a QPR side showing five changes from the one
beaten 2-0 at Everton last weekend
looked to threaten on the counter-attack with Adel Taarabt finding space between the visitors' midfield and defence.

Redknapp's record

Harry Redknapp has won just four of his 21 Premier League games in charge of QPR, meaning that he has a lower win percentage (19%) than both Mark Hughes and Neil Warnock as QPR boss in the competition (20%).

The Moroccan almost shaved the post with two early long-range strikes then ignored well-placed team-mates to his left and right before blazing wastefully wide.

Stoke's attacks regularly carried promise but too often broke down due to a lack of guile and poise in and around the penalty area.

Nonetheless, they were almost gifted an opener when Rob Green fumbled Walters's shot and looked on in relief as the ball bounced away to safety.

Green fared rather better when called into action to keep out a fierce long-range half-volley from Crouch that was destined for the top corner.

Just as they had against Everton, QPR fell behind just before half-time. Marc Wilson dispossessed Andros Townsend and fed Jerome, who eluded Chris Samba with some neat footwork and pulled the ball back for Crouch to put away only his second goal since September.

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QPR 0-2 Stoke: Potters not safe yet - Tony Pulis

Samba almost levelled before the break as his hooked effort from a right-wing free-kick drifted fractionally wide of the far post.

With four goals in his previous six starts, Remy represented QPR's best hope and the Frenchman almost delivered an equaliser when he wriggled past a couple of Stoke defenders inside the box and fired a left-footed shot that was well saved by Asmir Begovic, diving to his left.

From the resulting corner, Samba's goal-bound effort was unwittingly kept out by team-mate Stephane Mbia.

With gaps opening up in the QPR backline, Stoke came close to making it 2-0. Steven N'Zonzi's cross from the left found its way to Charlie Adam at the far post, but the Scot's cushioned effort looped over the bar.

It was no surprise when the second goal arrived 15 minutes before full-time. After Robert Huth's header had struck a post, Crouch was pulled down by Hill as he looked to convert the rebound and referee Chris Foy pointed to the spot.

Stoke's Premier League run-in

27 April: Norwich (h)

6 May: Sunderland (a)

12 May: Tottenham (h)

19 May: Southampton (a)

Walters, who had missed two of his previous four penalties this season, was forced to take his effort twice because of encroaching players but held his nerve to drill the ball into the bottom corner.

QPR fashioned little by way of response and must surely now start planning for life in the Championship next season.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis:

"They are very good on the break and we got caught four or five times. It was great for Peter to score before half-time and in the second half we tightened up and were a lot better.

"It takes a bit of pressure off but there is still pressure there and the four games we'll play are very tough games.

"40 points will be enough because we have good goal difference. There is still work to be done. A win or three draws, I don't care how we cook it."

Corner taken right-footed by Glenn Whelan from the left by-line, Christopher Samba makes a clearance.

47:06

Loic Remy is caught offside. Asmir Begovic takes the free kick.

46:02

Peter Crouch is adjudged to have handled the ball. Rob Green takes the free kick.

45:36

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Marc Wilson by Jamie Mackie. Marc Wilson restarts play with the free kick.

45:01

The referee starts the second half.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution Andros Townsend leaves the field to be replaced by Jamie Mackie.

45:00 +3:13 Half time

Half Time The referee blows for half time.

45:00 +0:49

Andros Townsend takes a shot. Blocked by Jonathan Walters.

43:50

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Andros Townsend by Marc Wilson. The ball is delivered by Jose Bosingwa, Christopher Samba produces a right-footed shot from deep inside the penalty area which goes wide of the left-hand post.

Comments

I read somewhere that QPR had to take out a 15 million loan to stabilise there finances till the end of the season,smacks of bull really with there money bags owner but who am I too judge I'm just a boring stoke fan lets all do the wenger \o/

They never really looked like staying up for me and I can't say they'll be missed. If they build a new stadium and acquire 5,000 more fans they'll be welcome back but until then QPR are just a pain in the a**e who belong in the Championship at best.

#185 Or QPR= Quite Pointless Really..lolI love all the hopefull QPR "fans" talking about their club with loads of money & therefore will not go into Administration, you're all forgetting one thing, how long will your rich owner want to stay at a very, very small club and fund you in the championship and below? Answer = Not Very Long, which means as soon as he ups & goes, you will then be wasted

Really very happy that this pointless little team with their pointless little support is going to drop out of the EPL, hope they continue dropping into the conference and beyond. Happy Days : )Please stay at QPHA! Harry, you're definitely the best man for the job..lol..lolCOYB's ; ) and your great defender who managed to get JT into trouble isn't here to see it, ahh shame that..lol..lol

As a Manchester United fan I am delighted that QPR are going down to me its divine retribution for their shameful display against City on the last day of the season where once they knew they were safe they just capitulated and basically let City win handing them the title

The armchair fans on here moaning about the "style" of Stoke's play I would wager but be the exact same armchair fans who would be on here moaning if we had a sterile "everyone plays the same way & bores you to death with endless square balls & back passes to the keeper" type top flight like they have in say Italy or Spain. #fickle

@194. I would agree about Rednapp. To be honest I never wanted him at Spurs (unlike most Spurs fans) and think he is over rated. Arry is only in it for Arry ask the Portsmouth fans. I would not like to see QPR go down, the more London clubs the merrier. I have to say though that the lack of interest by some of your players this year has led to your demise as for Arry the MEDIA FAVORITE lets see

AT 177 you say all british managers are no good the can only achieve mid table medicore football have you hit your head or something HOW many tittles has ALEX ferguson won what is he french or summink then thats news to me plus david moyes great manager with what he has to spend done wonders with everton think you need to sort ya self out mate and maybe concerntrate on another sport

yeh we have bin by far the worst team all season and we do deserve to go down ill be more gutted loosing remy best striker we have had in years top top player could of just picked up his wages like but no he came in and done the job he was bought for conceeding goals is the problem but please administration wont happen mittal multi billionare owner 1 thing portsmouth never had was money we have!

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